DUSHANBE. June 8. “Asia-Plus” — Mosfir ore field in Penjikent region needs investor and $5 million of investments, head of the Central Department of Geology under the government of Tajikistan Azim Ibrohim told the AP.
He said that the given ore deposit combines five gold deposits with the total volume of 75 tons. “Field works brought us very interesting results and I’ve already discussed them with the President. At the moment we are carrying exploratory boring works on one of these deposits, select samples and analyze them in labs,” he commented.
He added that these deposits were registered during the times of USSR. During that time scientists have conducted specific geological and exploratory works but there was no reliable data on the total volume of these fields.
“We have a definite economic interest in this field and now can search for investors. The problem is that its edges and underground horizons have clear signs of gold and we hope the volume of this deposit may reach three-digit indexes,” Ibrohim has said.
According to him, investor will have to carry out large-tonnage technological tests, calculate the reserves, put it into the state’s balance and prepare feasibility study. “The form of ownership of this enterprise depends on investor. If investor decides to create a joint enterprise, let it be so. Taking into account current gold prices ($1.200 per ounce) we can calculate that 75 tons of gold will cost $2.8 billion. I believe that tender will be the most appropriate way for selecting the future investor, but this is up to the government to decide,” he added.
